Three days and counting...

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Three days until I hop on a plane for Ghana, and I think I'm prepared for any and all contingencies. I have mosquito repellent, malaria pills (doxycycline, for those who care to know), sunblock, sunblock plus mosquito repellent, a razor, Neosporin, anti-diarrheal meds, Tums, band-aids, cough drops, cough medicine, pain killers, etc, etc. I still need to start/finish packing but meh...no rush. I've been vaccinated for yellow fever (mandatory to enter the country), typhoid fever (not 100% effective but it's better than nothing), and polio, as well as all of the hepatitis viruses. I think I'm covered, but I'll find out pretty quickly if I'm not, I guess.

I don't know how soon I'll have access to the internet once I arrive. I fly from Indy to Dulles in D.C., and from there straight to Accra, the capital city of Ghana. It will be about noon, August 9th, when I arrive. It's four hours later in Ghana than here, which surprises me. I figured the Atlantic would cover more time zones than that.

The weather in Accra on Monday, Aug. 9th looks like it's going to be nice. About 80 degrees F and cloudy. It's the rainy season right now, so the temperature will run a bit cooler, despite Ghana's proximity to the equator. It has been described as the "center of the world" because of its location. I can believe it. On a map of the world stretched out with North America on the left and Asia on the right, Ghana is almost directly at the center.

I will miss all of my friends and family while I'm gone. I'll try to update regularly, and post lots of colorful pictures. The university will be an interesting experience, I think. Ghana was once a British colony (there are still vestiges of its macabre past visible in Elmina Castle, used for the trans-Atlantic slave trade during the 18th and 19th century), so its education system has a distinctly British flavour (hehe). In other words, few lectures, fewer homework assignments, and two essays which determine your entire grade. Whee!

I'm still here to say it, but it's nice to have it in writing anyway. I love all my friends and family here, and will miss you all terribly while I'm away.

Love,

Claire

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Comments

[Mom Cagle]

1st blog entry
Don't forget the caladryl lotion/ointment for the mosquito bites. It'll help once you do get the bites. And I do like your first entry. Should be an interesting time for you.

[Courtney]

I'll miss you!!! Have a safe flight. I know that you'll have a great time. Don't forget you pepper spray and plastic toothbrushes to make shanks out of, just in case. You can never be too safe :p